Professional Observation

Basic Information

Observation Date:

March 27, 2022 - March 27, 2022

Submitted:

March 28, 2022

Observer:

Geoff Unger | Key Observer

Zone or Region:

Mammoth Lakes

Location:

Red Cone Summit, Mammoth Lakes Basin Snow Coverage and Snowpack Conditions

Recent Avalanches?

None Observed

Cracking?

None Experienced

Collapsing?

None Experienced

Stability Rating:

Good

Confidence in Rating:

High

Stability Trend:

Steady

It’s an interesting time out there. Surface conditions can be supportable with surface softening to areas where the snow is weak, punchy and un-skiable. An early start was useful to make the travel easier. Even returning to the car at 2 PM we had slushy sticky snow down low.

Advanced Information

Cloud Cover:

Mostly Cloudy

Temperature:

3.5 degrees C

Wind:

Moderate , SW

Field Weather Observations:

Location Red Cone Summit

Time 1200

Elevation 10440

Aspect S

Sky -BKN

Tair/surf 3.5/-0.5

Precip NO

Wind M SW gusting Strong

Blow Snow none

Surface Form/Size MFcr 2.0 mm

HST 0cm

HS 94cm

Pen Boot/Pen Ski 25cm/1cm

The very warm temperatures have been accelerating change in the snowpack toward spring conditions, but we aren’t quite there yet. The above freezing temperatures in the daytime and overnight also means the snowpack is deteriorating and thinning quickly. Snow depth is highly variable with thin spots and bare patches in surprising places.